I Pledge Allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one Nation under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.

STANDARDS of RESPECT

The Flag Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give
respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be
used. They are:

The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down
only as a distress signal.

The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping
a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes
is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.

The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be
embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions,
handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary
use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard

The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that
a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and
members of patriotic organizations.

The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia,
letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.

The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying,
or delivering anything.

When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object;
it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded
neatly and ceremoniously.

The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.

When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it
should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.

Note: Most American Legion Posts regularly conduct a dignified flag burning
ceremony, often on Flag Day, June 14th. Many Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops, and
Girl Scout Troops retire flags regularly as well. Contact your local American Legion Hall
or Scout Troop to inquire about the availability of this service.

Displaying the Flag Outdoors

When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony, or a building,
the union should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.

When it is displayed from the same flagpole with another flag - of a state, community,
society or Scout unit - the flag of the United States must always be at the top except
that the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for Navy
personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea.

When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union
to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over a sidewalk, the flag's union should
be farthest from the building.

When flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on separate flag poles which
are of the same height and in a straight line, the flag of the United States is always
placed in the position of honor - to its own right.
..The other flags may be smaller but none may be larger.
..No other flag ever should be placed above it.
..The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the last to be
lowered.

When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed
from a separate pole of the same height. Each flag should be the same size. They
should be raised and lowered simultaneously. The flag of one nation may not be
displayed above that of another nation.

Raising and Lowering the Flag

The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. Ordinarily
it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. It should be illuminated
if displayed at night.
The flag of the United States of America is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered.
The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last
note of music, whichever is the longest.

Displaying the Flag Indoors

When on display, the flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to its
own right. Place it to the right of the speaker or staging area or sanctuary. Other
flags should be to the left.

The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest
point of the group when a number of flags of states, localities, or societies are
grouped for display.

When one flag is used with the flag of the United States of America and the staffs
are crossed, the flag of the United States is placed on its own right with its staff
in front of the other flag.

When displaying the flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally, the flag's union
(stars) should be at the top, to the flag's own right, and to the observer's left.

Parading and Saluting the Flag

When carried in a procession, the flag should be to the right of the marchers. When
other flags are carried, the flag of the United States may be centered in front of
the others or carried to their right. When the flag passes in a procession, or when
it is hoisted or lowered, all should face the flag and salute.

The Salute

To salute, all persons come to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal
salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart
and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the
heart. Members of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in
charge.

The Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem

The pledge of allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the flag,
and saluting.
When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention and
salute at the first note and hold the salute through the last note. The salute is
directed to the flag, if displayed, otherwise to the music.

The Flag in Mourning

To place the flag at half staff, hoist it to the peak for an instant and lower it to
a position half way between the top and bottom of the staff. The flag is to be raised
again to the peak for a moment before it is lowered. On Memorial Day the flag is
displayed at half staff until noon and at full staff from noon to sunset.

The flag is to be flown at half staff in mourning for designated, principal government
leaders and upon presidential or gubernatorial order.

When used to cover a casket, the flag should be placed with the union at the head and
over the left shoulder. It should not be lowered into the grave.

Flag Folding Ceremony

The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.

The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.

The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.

The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.

The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong."

The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.

The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day.

The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty, and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.

The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first born.

The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

The thirteenth fold. When the flag is completely folded, the stars are upper most reminding us of our national motto, "In God we Trust."

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.